Pet amusement device

ABSTRACT

A pet amusement device is disclosed herein having four contiguous sidewalls defining a central cavity and joined together at one end by a base having a central opening formed therein. Each of the sidewalls is formed with semicircular openings cut along the edge of the sidewalls respectively, which serve as passageways from the exterior of the device to the internal cavity. A floor partition is insertably disposed in the cavity having a perimeter in frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls and having integrally formed risers carried on the opposite ends thereof operable as spacers to raise the partition above the base when so disposed.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Dolores Rosenthal 1284 HavenhurstDrive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90046 [21] Appl. No. 785,161

[22] Filed Dec. 19, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 5, 1971 [541 PET AMUSEMENTDEVICE 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,292,540 8/1942 Norton 119/1 2,741,223 4/1956Winb0rn,Jr 119/1 2,977,711 4/1961 Starr 43/131 Primary Examiner-Hugh R.Chamblee Attorney- Roger A. Marrs ABSTRACT: A pet amusement device isdisclosed herein having four contiguous sidewalls defining a centralcavity and joined together at one end by a base having a central openingformed therein. Each of the sidewalls is formed with semicir cularopenings cut along the edge of the sidewalls respectively, which serveas passageways from the exterior of the device to the internal cavity. Afloor partition is insertably disposed in the cavity having a perimeterin frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls andhaving integrally formed risers carried on the opposite ends thereofoperable as spacers to raise the partition above the base when sodisposed.

PATENT EU JAN 5197: 3552356 004 0/?58 Pwzuzma INVENTOR.

This invention relates to amusement devices for the class of animalscommonly referred to as pets" and, more particularly, to a novel petamusement device having alternate positions adapted to serve as a petplay den in one position and a pet bed in the other position.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the pet industry, many attempts havebeen made to provide amusing and entertaining devices for pets.Generally, these devices take the form of small playthings or articleswhich are adapted to be cuffed or pawed by the pet in an effort toentertain and amuse the pet. In other instances, a semienclosedstructure is provided which may be employed by the pet for sleeping orlounging purposes and generally, the pet playthings are placed insidethe enclosure for the amusement of the pet. In this latter instance, thepet may use the enclosure for sleeping purposes or for engaging inplayful activity by cuffing or pawing pieces of string or other articleswhich are drawn about the edge of the semienclosure.

In this latter instance, the semienclosure, when employed for amusementpurposes, falls short of success in that the sidewalls of the enclosureare generally sufficiently raised from the floor of the enclosure sothat the pet must stretch or assume extremelyawkward positions in orderto play along the edge thereof. Furthermore, when the enclosure is usedas a bed, a cushion of great thickness must be employed in order toseparate the animal on the cushion from the chill and dampness of thefloor on which the enclosure rests. Such a construction causes thesidewalls of the enclosure to be considerably higher than is necessaryand further reduces the utility of the enclosure for other pet amusementpurposes.

A further disadvantage encountered with conventional pet amusementdevices resides in the fact that the devices fail to take into accountthe natural desire of pets to hide, stalk or conceal themselves as aplay article, such as a string, is drawn about the device which maystimulate the curiosity of the pet.

Therefore, a need has long existed to provide a versatile pet amusementdevice capable of amusing the pet for extended periods of time and thatmay also serve as a bed or lounge for the animal. It .is to beunderstood that although animals such as pets are described herein, thisterminology can be extended to include all forms of domestic animals andis not to be limited to dogs, cats or the like. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION cavity. Each of the sidewalls is provided witha semicircular cutout extending along the free edge thereof which may beused for passage of the animal per se through the sidewall or which isadapted to accommodate an extremity of the animal such as an arm, leg,paw or the like. By employing a floor partition having spaces integrallyformed on the opposite ends thereof and by inserting the partition intothe cavity so that the spacers rest on the base, an insulated floorpartition is provided so that the animal may use the device as a bedwhereby chill or dampness radiating from the floor is greatly reduced orcompletely avoided.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides that the sidewallsbe tapered so that a plurality of devices may be readily stacked withrespect to one another for storage or shipment purposes.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anovel pet amusement device having contiguous sidewalls defining aninternal cavity and formed with a plurality of openings in the sidewallsto accommodate the body of the animal or one of its extremities foramusement purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel petamusement device having alternate positions to function as an amusementplay den and as a bed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel petamusement device capable of sustaining the interest of the animal forprolonged periods of time and which is designed and constructed to beappealing to the senses and natural ability of the animal.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel petamusement device which is readily transportable in a stackedarrangement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pet amusementdevice having contiguous sidewalls incorporating a plurality of openingsof various sizes adapted to selectively pass the body of the animalthrough the sidewall or of a reduced size adapted to accommodate the pawor leg of the animal for playful purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present inventionwhich are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization andmanner of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pet amusement device of the presentinvention illustrating a corner portion broken away to show a raisedfloor partition when employed as an animal bed;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pet amusement device as taken inthe direction of arrows 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor partition employed in thedevice of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pet amusement device when employedas an animal play den or device; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a pluralityof pet amusement devices illustrated in a stacked arrangement forstorage or shipment purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, the novelpet amusement apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in thegeneral direction of arrow 10 and includes contiguous sidewalls ll, 12,13 and 14 which are joined at their respective corners in an end-to-endrelationship. The adjacent ends of the sidewalls are secured together byany suitable means such as a length of pressure sensitive tape 15.Preferably, the adjacent ends of the sidewalls are arranged at rightangles to each other so that a square or rectangular enclosure isproduced which defines an internal cavity between the opposing innerwall surfaces of the sidewalls. However, other configurations may beemployed such as circular, for example. The sidewalls are interconnectedby means of a base panel 16 which is suitably secured along the edges ofthe sidewalls. In one form, the sidewalls are integrally formed with thepanel 16 and merely folded about the sides and ends thereof. The base 16includes a central opening 17 which is preferably large enough toaccommodate passage of the pet therethrough.

Opposite sidewalls l1 and 13 are formed with semicircular cuts 20 and 21which are coaxial with respect to each other and extend from the edge ofthe sidewalls opposite to their edge connected by base 1'?" and thatextend substantially into the body of each of the respective sidewallsso as to provide a pair of openings adapted to accommodate passage ofthe body of the animal.

Opposing sidewalls l2 and 14 include semicircular openings 22 and 23which are not coaxial and which are offset from each other on oppositesides of a center line extending across the device. The openings definedby the semicircular cuts 22 paw or leg, and also serve as observationports for viewing externally of the device.

in the position as shown in FIG. 1, the device may be employed not onlyas an amusement device for the animal but as a bed. To this end, a floorpartition 24 is included which is disposed within the cavity and has itsperipheral edges pressed against the inner surface of the sidewalls soas to be completely disposed within the cavity. The floor partition 24is provided with integrally formed spacers 25 and 26, as shown moreparticularly in FIG. 2, which raise the floor partition 24 above thebase panel 16. The space between the inserted floor partition and theground supporting surface for the base-panel 16 serves to establish anair insulation area. If desired, a cushion or pillow may be installed onthe partition 24 for the comfort of the animal.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the floor partition 24 includesa pair of V-shaped elements formingthe spacers 25 and 26. The elementsmay be folded upon each other respectively so as to support the floorpartition'24 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the floor partition 24 maybe fabricated from materials such as corregated cardboard andtheV-shaped elements may be readily formed by providing score lines 27 and28 which are arranged in parallel spaced-apart relationship and areformed along the edge-marginal region of the opposite ends of thepartition. The material of the edge-marginal region extending betweenthe extreme end of the partition'and the score lines may be providedwith second score lines, such as is indicated by numerals 30 and 31 sothat the material'may'be folded over upon itself again to providesufficient thickness for establishing the insulating space between thebase panel '16 and the partition 24 as shown in FIG. 2.

When the embodiment of the present invention present invention is usedas shown in the drawing of FIG. 1, the animal, such as a cat or dog, mayuse the device as a bed. Entrance into the internal cavity of the devicemay be through the top,

which is open, or through the cutout openings 20 and 21.

Once the animal is within the enclosure of the sidewall, the

animal may use the cutouts 20 and 21 as well as cutouts'22 and 23 forobservation outside of the sidewall enclosure and for extending its pawor leg for cuffing during play with another article such as a string orother amusement device.

Referring now to H6. 4, the device has been reversed and the floorpartition 24 removed so that the exposed edge of the continuous sidewallrests upon a supporting structure, such as the floor of a room. Entranceand exit to and from the internal cavity enclosed by the sidewall orsidewall portions and the base16 can be achieved via cutout openings 20and 21 and opening 17. These latter cutouts and opening 17 are ofsufficient diameter to accommodate passage of the body of the animal.However, cutouts 22 and 23 are of reduced diameter to block passage ofthe animal. These latter cutouts may be employed for peek holes or foraccommodating the extension of a leg or paw for play purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it is to be noted that the continuous sidewallof the device is tapered outwardly from the base panel 16. Thisconstruction established the end of the device carrying the base panelas being being narrower and shorter in dimension than the opposite enddefined by the exposed edge of the sidewall. For purposes ofclarification, the continuous sidewall is indicated by numeral 32 thatextends around the base panel 16. Because of the outward taper of thesidewall, a plurality of devices may be stacked for storage or shipmentpurposes.

Preferably, the composition of the device may be cardboard, wood,synthetic materials, plastic or the like. In one form, the base panel 16and the sidewall may be integrally formed from a flat blank in whicheach of the sidewall portions indicated by numerals 11-44 inclusive areintegrally formed 4 s, tape 'maythen'be applied to the'ends of adjacentsidewall portions so as'jto establish a corner. The resultantconstruction represents a'boxlike structure having an open end definedby the exposed edges ofthe sidewall which are on the opposite side ofthe device from the edges of the-sidewall integrally formed with thebase panel. For-this type offabric'atiori, cardboard'hasbeen found to besuccessful since thef'fold lines for bending or folding the sidewallportions with respect to the basepanel may be readily defined byproyidingascor'e line.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the boxlike structure ofthe'device may'take additional shapesfand configurations such a's'may berepresented'bya house} building, miniature mountain orother similarstructureof anjima'ginaryinatural or animated characten'lt is within'theconcept of the present invention to place the floor partition 24 midwaybetween the top and the bottom of the deviceso ast o provide simulatedrooms of a house wherein the cutouts may represent windows, doors orother openings. To, this "end, a roof may be employed which wouldtotally or partially close the opening through the top of the device. 1

In view of the foregoing, it can be-seen that "the pet amusement deviceof the present invention provides a structure useful forentertaining andamusing a pet. The naturalcurious instincts of the animal are heightenedby the cutouts and the placement-of the cutouts with respect to eachother as well as the exposed edge of .the sidewall. Additionally, thedevice may be employed as a'bed for the animal. Whether the device isused as a bed or as a play den, the-opportunity for amusement andentertainment of the pet is afforded by the cutouts. While panicularembodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, itwill be obvious to those skilled in changes and modifications as fallwithin the true-spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim: 1. A pet amusement device comprising: a base panel havinga'central opening formed therein; an endless sidewall carried about theperimeter of said base panel to define an inner cavity adapted toaccommodate the'pet;

said sidewall formed with a plurality of cutouts spaced apart along theedge of said sidewall defining theentrance to said inner cavity;

a floor partition insertably carried between opposing inner surfaces ,ofsaid sidewall in close proximity to said base panel; and

spacers carried on the opposite ends of said floor partition engageablewith said base panel to define-an air insulation area between said floorpartition and said base panel 2. The invention as defined'in claim 1,wherein each of said cutouts is semicircular in configuration.

3. The invention as defined in claims 2 wherein a selected pair of saidcutouts'are coaxially on opposite sides of said sidewall.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein another selected pair ofsaid cutouts are formed in said sidewall between said first selectedpair of cutouts respectively.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sidewall is taperedoutwardly with respect to said base panel so as to accommodate stackingof a multiplicity of said devices. 7

6. The invention as defined in claim @1 wherein said base panel issubstantially square and said sidewall includes four wall portionsconnected together in end-to-end relationship and at right angles withrespect to adjacent wall portions.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sidewall isintegrally formed with said base panel so as to constitute a blankwhereby said sidewall is folded with respect to said blank to extendfrom one side of said base panel; and

said sidewall and said base panel forming a boxlike structure fully openat its end opposite to its end carrying said base panel.

8. A pet amusement apparatus comprising:

a boxlike structure having a bottom and a continuous sidewall having anexposed edge defining an opening into an internal cavity defined by theinner wall surface of said sidewall and said bottom;

said bottom formed with a central opening and said sidewall formed witha plurality of cutout openings in communication with said sidewall edge;and

said sidewall cutouts being of different sizes wherein selected ones ofsaid sidewall cutouts and said bottom opening are adapted to accommodatepassage of the pet while the other of said sidewall cutouts are adaptedto accommodate passage of body extremities of the pet.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sidewall comprisesfour sidewall portions arranged in opposing pairs in parallelrelationship so as to provide four corners; and

securement means for securing said sidewall portions together at saidcomers.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sidewall is taperedoutwardly from said bottom so as to permit a plurality of saidstructures to be nested together in a stacked arrangement.

11. The invention as defined in claim 8 including a floor partitiondisposed in said cavity; and

mail? carried on said partition supporting said partition on said bottomin fixed spaced relationship.

1. A pet amusement device comprising: a base panel having a centralopening formed therein; an endless sidewall carried about the perimeterof said base panel to define an inner cavity adapted to accommodate thepet; said sidewall formed with a plurality of cutouts spaced apart alongthe edge of said sidewall defining the entrance to said inner cavity; afloor partition insertably carried between opposing inner surfaces ofsaid sidewall in close proximity to said base panel; and spacers carriedon the oppoSite ends of said floor partition engageable with said basepanel to define an air insulation area between said floor partition andsaid base panel .
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each ofsaid cutouts is semicircular in configuration.
 3. The invention asdefined in claims 2 wherein a selected pair of said cutouts arecoaxially on opposite sides of said sidewall.
 4. The invention asdefined in claim 3 wherein another selected pair of said cutouts areformed in said sidewall between said first selected pair of cutoutsrespectively.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsidewall is tapered outwardly with respect to said base panel so as toaccommodate stacking of a multiplicity of said devices.
 6. The inventionas defined in claim 1 wherein said base panel is substantially squareand said sidewall includes four wall portions connected together inend-to-end relationship and at right angles with respect to adjacentwall portions.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsidewall is integrally formed with said base panel so as to constitute ablank whereby said sidewall is folded with respect to said blank toextend from one side of said base panel; and said sidewall and said basepanel forming a boxlike structure fully open at its end opposite to itsend carrying said base panel.
 8. A pet amusement apparatus comprising: aboxlike structure having a bottom and a continuous sidewall having anexposed edge defining an opening into an internal cavity defined by theinner wall surface of said sidewall and said bottom; said bottom formedwith a central opening and said sidewall formed with a plurality ofcutout openings in communication with said sidewall edge; and saidsidewall cutouts being of different sizes wherein selected ones of saidsidewall cutouts and said bottom opening are adapted to accommodatepassage of the pet while the other of said sidewall cutouts are adaptedto accommodate passage of body extremities of the pet.
 9. The inventionas defined in claim 8 wherein said sidewall comprises four sidewallportions arranged in opposing pairs in parallel relationship so as toprovide four corners; and securement means for securing said sidewallportions together at said corners.
 10. The invention as defined in claim8 wherein said sidewall is tapered outwardly from said bottom so as topermit a plurality of said structures to be nested together in a stackedarrangement.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 8 including a floorpartition disposed in said cavity; and means carried on said partitionsupporting said partition on said bottom in fixed spaced relationship.